Shinjuku Mitsui Building, Skyscraper in Nishi-Shinjuku, Japan.
The Shinjuku Mitsui Building is a 55-story skyscraper that dominates the commercial district with its distinctive black-braced facade. The structure houses office spaces, dining venues serving multiple Asian cuisines, and retail shops distributed across numerous floors.
Completed in 1974, this building held the title of Tokyo's tallest structure for about four years until another tower surpassed it. It marked a period when the city was rapidly growing and defining its modern skyline.
The black diagonal braces on the facade reveal how Japanese engineering merged with international design trends of that era. Walking past, you notice how these structural elements have become part of the building's identity in the neighborhood.
The building sits a short walk from Shinjuku Station, making it accessible via the city's train network. Inside, you can navigate through floors with dining and shopping options spread throughout the complex.
Six large pendulums were added to the roof in 2013 to control building sway during earthquakes. These movement-dampening devices work silently above, an unseen safety feature that reflects Japan's approach to building in earthquake country.
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